on the fourth day of christmas...

on the fourth day of christmas: we had quite a lot of memories made this christmas! beginning on christmas eve day, we headed outside to shovel our first "round" of snow in the driveway, while the girls played. Daddy even got in on the fun for a little bit. ready for the snow
so excited to play in the snow

daddy pulling the girls through the cul-de-sac

christmas eve (1 christmas was canceled so we "crashed" another- thanks, lorie and scott!) sophia is saying "cheese"...

"cheese" with grandpa mike

trying to get a family picture (a little difficult with everyone...not to mention having another kid, brianna, who wanted to be in on the fun)

christmas morning looking through the stocking from santa

littlest pet shop (we should get a diploma for opening all the little pieces!)

livia loving her leapster

family picture (i had quite a few to pick from...a little difficult to get one with everyone "cooperating") :)

everyone "unexpectedly" getting each other a tom tom for christmas...what a hilarious memory!

christmas '09 snowstorm...so beautiful!

trying to put together all the zhu zhu parts...whew!

saturday christmas with the withers/sederholm families at our house...

terry won some "holy toast"..."round yon virgin, terry and toast"

snowman craft with the girls (thanks to brandi for her idea!)

christmas in cg...

christmas in cg: on sunday we ventured to cottage grove to spend the afternoon with our good friends (and godparents to the girls), paul and laurie. We visited their lovely, new home in Cottage Grove, opened Christmas gifts, ate a delicious meal, "caught up", and even caused some damage to their home ;) paul, laurie, livia, bobby, and sophia
trying to get a picture with sophia (she liked my necklace)

livia's favorite spot for the day- at the top the stairs looking down

sophia with "fable" and her new monogrammed rocking chair. note: look at the angel in the background- that angel is now no more, thanks to our girls...we quickly sent a replacement so we are guaranteed to be invited back next year ;)

livia with "mystic"- the only gift she REALLY wanted for Christmas! thanks laurie and paul for a great afternoon!

dance of the lark...

dance of the lark: this weekend was livia's first dance recital. She performed in the "Song of the Lark" as a ballerina birdie. She did a great job and it was beautiful because each performance was danced to live music (a pianist was actually on the stage playing the music for the dancers!). Livia was a beautiful little ballerina. We are so proud! livia at dress rehearsal
on stage with the other "birdies"

ready for her recital

ballerina beauty

flowers from grandma nancy and a congratulatory cake for such a great performance!

december delights...

december delights: we have been busy the last few days. The first day of the month brought a new activity into the Withers' week- gymnastics. Livi decided she would much rather do gymnastics instead of dance. So...as of right now, she is finishing her trimester of dance (her recital is on Sunday) and participating in gymnastics on Tuesdays. Whew! I'm tired of running already ;) we missed the 1st day of advent boxes due to her first gymnastics class...

so we caught up on the 2nd
visiting macy's 8th floor..this is exactly how Sophia's face was the entire time...so in awe, yet so hesitant..

livi in front of one of the scenes, "santa's workshop"

mom and sophia's coordinating outfits

sophia kept saying to me, "mama, cheese"...can you read her lips?